The bridge on Carlisle Road spanning the Concord River will be re-named this Memorial Day, dedicated in honor of two Bedford natives who died serving in Iraq.

Pfc. John Hart and Lance Cpl. Travis Desiato were both graduates of Bedford High School and were killed in the line of duty in Iraq. On Friday, Dec. 22 state representative Ken Gordon, D-Bedford, and state senator Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, announced that next Memorial Day, the bridge on Carlisle Road will be dedicated and named after the two men. Gordon and Barrett filed the bill and Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bill last week.

“We are a town of 14,500 people, and we had two heroes who knew each other, die in action less than 15 months apart,” Gordon said. “During the Memorial Day ceremony in 2017 I spoke with the families of both men and they were talking about a way to honor the men, and I thought it was a great idea. Since I’m a state representative I knew we could do something on a state road, so we decided to dedicate a bridge.”

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The Bedford Citizen

Posted November 14, 2017

Rep. Ken Gordon joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass two bills to support Massachusetts’ veterans. “This legislation is a small but important step toward showing gratitude for the sacrifice of our veterans,” said Rep. Gordon.

“I am immensely proud that Massachusetts ranks first in the nation when it comes to military-benefit programs and services,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said. “This legislation sends a message to our heroes and their families that we appreciate their bravery, sacrifice, and service. While these two bills are small steps, the House is continuing its work in providing critical and well-deserved supports.”

Under legislation passed by the House, every municipality in the Commonwealth will now designate one parking space at its town or city hall as “veterans-only parking.”

The House also took action to enable municipalities to more easily collect donations for their Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Celebration Funds. This legislation allows cities and towns to include a check-off box on municipal tax or motor vehicle excise tax bills through which residents can pledge donations to be used for the creation and restoration of monuments and other activities that honor the contributions and sacrifices of local veteran

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Wicked Local Burlington

Posted November 8, 2017

State Rep. Ken Gordon, D-Bedford, led a group of 125 state legislators who have signed onto bipartisan testimony calling for the passage of legislation to permanently protect consumers and the environment from risks associated with gas pipeline expansion.

Though now suspended, Kinder Morgan’s Northeast Energy Direct pipeline and Enbridge’s Access Northeast proposal each threatened conservation efforts, private property and Massachusetts’ climate goals. In 2016, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled the project’s primary financial mechanism, a “pipeline tax” on electric ratepayers, was illegal and placed consumers with a significant burden that would otherwise be borne by investors. Pipeline proponents are currently seeking to amend Massachusetts law to enable the pipeline tax. A House letter circulated by Gordon; state Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington; and Minority Leader Bradley Jones, R-North Reading, garnered 100 signatures, while a concurrent Senate letter circulated by state Sens. Pat Jehlen, D-Somerville, and Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, has 20 signers.

“It’s very simple, ratepayers should not be forced to assume the financial responsibility and environmental risk associated with paying for pipelines that a majority of our constituents do not want,” said Gordon.

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State Rep. Ken Gordon, D-Bedford, joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass an amendment sponsored by state Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick, to the 2017 Supplemental Budget banning the sale, purchase or ownership of a bump stock device.

“I was proud to join with almost every member of the Legislature in voting to ban this dangerous equipment in Massachusetts,” said Gordon. “Our job in government is to keep us safe and this is an important step in making sure that this type of device it’s not used in our state to harm our residents.”

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Wicked Local Burlington

Posted March 9, 2017

Massachusetts House of Representatives leadership recently reappointed state Rep. Ken Gordon, D-Bedford, as vice chairman of the Joint Committee on Election Laws.

Last session, more than 80 bills were referred to the committee, which is tasked with investigating the legislative and policy ramifications of all proposals covering voter registration, early voting, campaign finance, regulations relative polling places and other election related topics.

“It is an honor to be reappointed to such an important committee for our democracy, both local and national. Last year Massachusetts saw record turnout at the polls and the introduction of statewide early voting I am interested to hear more from stakeholders on what we can do to ensure that all qualifying residents are registering to vote and accessing the polls,” said Gordon.
In addition to his leadership role on the Joint Committee on Election Laws, Gordon was also reappointed to the Joint Committee on Transportation. The committee considers development, operation, regulation and control of transportation in the commonwealth, including on land, sea and air.

“One of the most important issues in our district is the overflow of traffic from I-95 and U.S. Route 3 onto our local roads. Working with the Department of Transportation and learning about their needs last session allowed me to explore more options that could alleviate traffic in our towns,” said Gordon.

Gordon was also newly appointed to the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses and the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets.

These committees oversee legislation regarding economic districts and local planning commissions and all matters relating to the commonwealth’s giving, loaning or pledging credit. The work of both of these committees creates economic development across the commonwealth.

“When it comes down to it, the most exciting aspect of the upcoming session is the opportunity I will have to work on the issues that most directly impact our communities. I am grateful to the voters for electing me to this position and to leadership for appointing me to these committees; I am looking forward to getting to work,” said Gordon.

Public committee hearings, during which the public has an opportunity to testify on behalf of legislation filed, will begin in the coming weeks. From there, committees assess the proposed legislation and vote on sending it further through the legislative process.

For information: 617-722-2013; [email protected].